BEIJING: In a significant move, China has appointed senior diplomat Sun Weidong, who worked closely with external affairs minister S Jaishankar during his tenure as the ambassador in Beijing, as its new envoy in New Delhi. Though China has not formally confirmed Sun’s appointment, an announcement to this effect is expected soon.
The decision comes ahead of the planned meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek starting Thursday.
Sun, who also served as the ambassador to Pakistan, is widely regarded as an expert on South Asian affairs. He is at present the director general of the policy and planning department of the foreign ministry. He was the deputy director general during Jaishankar’s tenure as ambassador in Beijing between 2009 and 2013.
Sun’s appointment comes soon after PM Modi invited leaders of neighbouring countries -- including Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh -- to his swearing in ceremony and enhanced New Delhi’s outreach to countries which are being wooed with Chinese financial support. Sun will succeed Luo Zhaohui, who has been appointed as vice minister of foreign affairs.
Indian ambassador to China Vikram Misri sent out a congratulatory message in a tweet that said, “Congratulations to His Excellency Sun Weidong, who has been appointed as the new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to India - had the opportunity to welcome him home recently in Beijing and wish him all the best for his important mission.”
Misri also called on Luo, who took over as the vice foreign minister of China. The Indian embassy said in a tweet, “Ambassador @VikramMisri met Vice Foreign Minister and former Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui. Ambassador congratulated Mr Luo for assuming charge as VFM. The two sides used the opportunity to compare notes on the upcoming engagements in bilateral relations.”
The decision comes ahead of the planned meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek starting Thursday.
Sun, who also served as the ambassador to Pakistan, is widely regarded as an expert on South Asian affairs. He is at present the director general of the policy and planning department of the foreign ministry. He was the deputy director general during Jaishankar’s tenure as ambassador in Beijing between 2009 and 2013.
Sun’s appointment comes soon after PM Modi invited leaders of neighbouring countries -- including Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh -- to his swearing in ceremony and enhanced New Delhi’s outreach to countries which are being wooed with Chinese financial support. Sun will succeed Luo Zhaohui, who has been appointed as vice minister of foreign affairs.
Indian ambassador to China Vikram Misri sent out a congratulatory message in a tweet that said, “Congratulations to His Excellency Sun Weidong, who has been appointed as the new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to India - had the opportunity to welcome him home recently in Beijing and wish him all the best for his important mission.”
Misri also called on Luo, who took over as the vice foreign minister of China. The Indian embassy said in a tweet, “Ambassador @VikramMisri met Vice Foreign Minister and former Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui. Ambassador congratulated Mr Luo for assuming charge as VFM. The two sides used the opportunity to compare notes on the upcoming engagements in bilateral relations.”
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